Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Will the Leader arrange a debate on the number of universities we should have in this country? It obviously is our objective to take a leadership role in the knowledge society in the future. Until now the only voices we have heard in this regard have come from particular institutes of technology, which I am sure are very worthy. Waterford, Dublin and Cork institutes of technology are looking for recognition. I had not seen the other side of the argument expressed until yesterday. In The Irish Times yesterday, Dr. Danny O'Hare, the former president of DCU, said he thought we had too many universities. I mention this issue because it is worthy of a debate in this House.

In the past I have called for a reduction in the amount of paper our offices receive. Senator O'Toole spoke earlier about An Coimisinéir Teanga and I was very impressed when I received a CD of his annual report in the post today. I know others do this as well but it is a reminder to us that we can avoid paper. I am still frustrated by the large amount of paper we receive on our desks every day. We can do something about it.

I refer to a topic which I believe Senator O'Toole raised yesterday. I am very fearful of calls for boycotts of any sort. Boycotting the Olympic Games because of what is happening in Tibet is the wrong way to go. If we are to achieve success in brining China along in terms of it taking steps with more caution, the way to do so is not by boycotting the games but by changing their hearts and minds no matter how serious the issues. Only a few weeks ago I raised this issue because of a debate about boycotting China because of Darfur. It is now Tibet but it will be somewhere else next month. No matter how serious the situation in Tibet and Darfur, the correct way to go is to change the hearts and minds of the Chinese Government rather than boycott the games.